The changes over the last decade have been so profound, and are now so established, it’s difficult to recall how different the balance of power was back then. In 2004, a small handful of people had complete control over the Celtic media narrative.
Was Martin O’Neill going to Leeds United? He was, you were told he was, live on the country’s most listened to radio programme. By a former Celtic player, too. Objectivity and the opportunity to challenge was controlled by the very people who were writing the headlines.
For years, this was the way it was, and it was poisoning Celtic. The ‘old board’ were worthy of little better, but Fergus McCann was brutally attacked. He was the man who would bring equality and respect to our club and fans, but he was demonised by lazy hacks who cared little for truth. So much so, he was booed by the very people who celebrated the league title his vision brought. It was a bitter experience for many.
Martin O’Neill, in some respects, like The Man 35 years before him, brought a force of personality so strong, the gaggle of critics could only stand back in awe, but the system had a flaw. Stein brought unimaginable success with little more than unimaginable brilliance. O’Neill used money, lots of it. More than Celtic were earning. His whirlwind high-spending start at Celtic ended with the £6m signing of John Hartson in 2001, little over a year after he took the job.
Martin would spend another four years working within a budget; not one that brought expenditure into line with income, we continued to lose millions each year, but one which limited signings to a fraction of what was spent on Hartson, Lennon and Sutton.
While those four years were among the most exciting in our history, it was an unhappy era.
Put yourself back in time for a moment. Celtic are champions and have beaten Ajax to qualify for the Champions League for the first time. We were imperious, had beaten Rangers 6-2 and took to a field in Turin to final take part in a tournament which for so long appeared out of our reach.
Juventus went 2-0 up but back came Celtic. I worked with a Rangers fan who was at a lower league game that night. When we equalised, his friend text “I don’t think I can take this anymore”. We had come from nowhere, an irrelevance in Scottish football, but here we were, champions of Scotland and level against Juventus.
At that moment, anything was possible. For the first time in decades, we thought, maybe just…
We soon learned that it takes more than honest endeavour to win in Italy, and visits to Portugal and Norway provided a rude awakening. This was not ’67 all over again, there was a lot of work to do, we just needed to keep the pedal to the metal.
Two years after that defeat in Turin we came close to winning our second European trophy in Seville, with a team which had, pretty much, been in place for three years. We were getting the hang of European football, but the team was aging.
For reasons that defy logic, history records the Seville season as the highlight of that team, but the achievements of season 2003-04, with 25 consecutive league wins, and eliminating Barcelona from Europe, were vastly greater.
Then the party was over. The Great Swede left, we’d lost £35m in a few short years, and reality was acknowledged; all clubs need to live within their means, or face liquidation. The climb-down was necessary, but I’m not going to tell you it wasn’t hard.
Back then few people read football clubs accounts, even though Celtic posted copies to over 20,000 shareholders, but all the clues were there, Celtic had to stem the flow. We lost £7m in the Seville season alone; wages to players and coaches were unsustainable.
Despite this, Celtic were regarded as cautious. We lost £35m over five years; Ranger lost £35m in a single season. If they could pump debt up to £80m and survive, why wouldn’t Celtic? We would learn the answer to this question in 2012, but think back to 2004, thoughts that one of Scotland’s major clubs could be liquidated were ridiculed – often, on CQN.
So how did the media deal with our club in 2004? I was driving to work one morning and had heard “What the Celtic fans want to know, is where is all the Seville money?” once too often. “Where is all the Seville money?” was a toxic question. There was no Seville money, only higher debts.
When I arrived at work I ranted about such lazy reporting. This was calculated reporting of the most pernicious type. A Rangers supporting friend suggested, “Why don’t you start a blog and challenge what they’re saying?” I’d never heard of a blog, but he sat me down and got me going.
The first CQN article, written 10 years ago today, was a modest call to “Ignore the Press”, but just before I pressed publish, I had to select, ‘Allow comments: Yes or No’. I’d no views either way but ‘Yes’ was default, so I left it.
The whole thing, the millions of comments, the hundreds of thousands of pounds raised for those in need, the friendships made, the golfers, the slimmers, those helped in bereavement, the thousands of kids attending our school kitchens each day in Malawi and the countless hours of enjoyment we’ve had, are all down to a default position on Blogger. And a Rangers fan telling me to start the fight back online. Who’d have thought it?
Now, people stop me in the street to talk about Celtic. Can there be a greater joy in life? Thanks for all the help and support.
Celtic yesterday, today, forever.
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Great that CQN is still up and running after ten years. I have known Paul67 for a long time but we drifted apart after University…(yes we went!). Stumbled across CQN and they had posted a link to some photos and voila…Paul67 was in them and looks no different…he must have a painting in the loft.
Having met up with him and introduced him to my pal, we have had a great time meeting up and he only lives up the road from me. I have met some great ghuys and gals over the piece, to name a few BT, HT, Minx, skyisalandfill, Oldtim, Jobo, (who I met again in EK at the under 20s game on Saturday) TBB, Doc, CRC, Angelgabriel, Paddybhoy, Ritchie, Exiled Tim and Auldheid and many many more.
Paul67 is a great ghuy and I am very proud to have him as my friend first and foremost but also for his insight and his quality pieces everyday for ten years, I don’t always agree but he is honest and that’s all we can ask for.
As for tomorrow, I am heading up to Edinburgh around 3pm and I will be with my bhoy and some friends and will be available for food, drink and daft kerryoan, after all that’s what CQN is about.
Kikinthenakas
Been on CQN pretty much since day 1 but not a regular poster,usually only post on Celtic football matters.Still read regularly but like many not as often as I used to,too many posters repeating the same nonsense every day particularly those who don’t go to games.
Anyway not long back from holiday and off to Murrayfield tomorrow,any CQN get together planned for the game? I’ve made arrangements to meet mates in the Haymarket for a few beers and some food pre match,looking forward to it.
My ticket for tomorrow is in section East 10 does anyone know if this is the Roseburn St side of the stadium?
Cheers and happy bday CQN.
Nakas
you keep an eye on the oldtim for me…
10 years of…
Full-wits
Half-wits
Nae-wits
Pure-twits
Just-a-few-gits
One-or-two-twits
Occassional-eejits
Some-right-funny-wits
A-few-geniuses
More-than-enough-sad-loses (RIP to all)
How-many-new-freenships?
Amazingly-loads-of-Unionists
Generosity-astounding-of-foreheidness
I bow to you all now (except the Unionists) and will do so again in my New Independent Scotland.
MWD says AYE
Johann Murdoch…how could I miss you out!
Auld age…ffs…
Kikinthenakas
Any ideas as ayr has been knocked on the head, mrs bt thinking about duck bay marina but im not so keen.
BT
Will do…just rang and left him a message. I take it your going later with the TOHG?
Kikinthenakas
BT
Loch Katrine is much nicer.
Kikinthenakas
Nakas
hope so, may need to get train direct from glasgow as busy day after the holiday weekend.
mini will be going with him at least..
TIMMY 7 NOTED
According to this,
http://www.ticketsoup.com/venues/murrayfield-stadium/mur/default.aspx
yes,it is.
Gordon J, couldnt disagree with that
BMCUW
says a lot about you mate, hope they appreciated it
off to make a few quid at Ayr
HH
kikinthenakas
10:21 on 21 July, 2014
Don’t you be leading oldtim astray now…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Reading that denny johnstone is off to birmingham city. Be very disapointed in that.
Heard good reports on him, surely he deserves chance in first team ?
210579
Tbh,I didnae ask!
I was joooost gutted.
Though bloody delighted we won!
Still,at least the car radio worked….
ICG
I am sure there will be plenty about BUT
If you are still looking for a ticket for tomorrow I have at least one
Also have a kids one and as it doesnt differentiate on tkt presume an adult could use that.
though I dont want my mates kid barred.
: > )
If you have any of the following i THINK i have a mobile for them
BlantyreTim
BMCUWP
DOC
Busy so check back at lunch time
BMCUW
Without rubbing it in you missed a good one haha. I think the Maestros performance that day was only surpassed by his display against Hearts in the semi that season
BT I agree about Loch Katrine.
Hoping to get to the game tomorrow as medication seems to be working at last!
I’ve arranged to meet the Davie at the station and go through to Haymarket sometime in the afternoon.
Porthos du Vallon is running at Ayr today 4.25. Bad run last time out but trainer is expecting him to bounce back.
Live Dangerously has been having a mare :-) but will have Joe Fanning on board for the first time at Musselburgh tomorrow in the 5.00. Might just be enough to get him a win before he’s punted!
KITN
Hopefully catch up with you tomorrow. Now I have a shiny new season ticket!
Been on here since I noticed it on newsnow probably near the start. Posted as the left back and then emmet bhoy. There is no better place on the interweb.
Does Chris Morris not run a very successful Cornish pasty business now?
CQN brought us Dallasgate, I have a head of terms, explored Dougie Dougie, stuck to the line on liquidation, tommy g and who could forget amortisation.
Here’s to another 10 years at least.
Paul 67,
Thank-you and very well played, 10 years and counting!
HH
Cheers Bobby,too lazy to go find it……………:-)
kikinthenakas
What time are you arriving at Haymarket Station, in fact what time is the train you are getting, if it’s around 2 ish and leaves from Queens Street, I could get on at Falkirk High and go through with you too have a drink.
Phil’s dropped another;
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/share-and-share-alike/#more-4871
HH
Sorry hit send too early,reason I asked was determining how many pints I could have…………:-)
Roseburn St is one pint closer!!
210579
Yep,I did.
Still…
Well,tbh,I wisnae gonna let my Dad down-done that often enough otherwise-and his brother isnae known as The Growler-not to his face!-for nothing.
And my mate is 6’4″ so what’s a BHOY to do?
Oldtim
You two-timing me :-)
I’ll tie in with the concensus.
I’m a day late for the 10 birthday but many congratulations to you Paul. what an amazing blog you have created. Despite the occasional blemishes as participants go over the top in their praise or blame it is consistently the place to come to to feel the pulse of our support. I’m a happy clapper myself and so often don’t even spot the negative possibilities of a story until someone leads me through it.
Is there any way you can find out when you joined CQN or even look back at past posts? It would be interesting to see the discussions you found yourself involved in over the years.
Good luck for the next 10 years
Richie.
Is this comment referring to me ” I’ve arranged to meet the Davie at the station” if it is what arrangements were they ?.
Hey Guys, I am just back after a few weeks away and have found out I am not away with work this week like I thought so can now make the game tomorrow night. Does anyone have a spare ticket they need to sell?
Any pointers would be great and can meet at the game as stay in Edinburgh or during the day too.
Cheers
HH
BT….
Hopefully meet up. Will be in Haymarket area in the afternoon (early I expect as wife is dropping me off for 11.08 train from Dunblane).
Will check into digs first then expect to have a few libations.
Richie.
I thought you were coming from Aberdeen, I must have either been high, or drunk, if your leaving from Queens Street I’ll get on the same train when it arrives at Falkirk High.
Weefra
Just reading back. I hope the next day or two goes as well as possible.
Stay strong
HH
CRC
DESERTBHOY
Dunblane?
Stay away from that JAMESGANG fella,he’ll have you out cycling and then removing a lung for research purposes.
Apart from that he’s a really nice bloke and far too big to insult!
Bhoys & Ghirls
Apologies for the delay in publishing the final world cup predictor placings. Technical difficulties in the sun hoping to be resolved soon.
HH
CRC
OT
We spoke about it Friday. Health permitting I would get the train through Falkirk and you would rendezvous?
If that wasn’t the case, then not drinking is screwing up my memory!
OT I will confirm the train time tomorrow morning. I will go to Aberdeen Wednesday am unless any of the North East CQNers are going back up after the game and I can cadge a lift..
Desertbhoy
get nakas oldtims or richies number from the oracle that is bmcuw. They will be in town about 2pm.
jamesgang and hutchybhoy probably going from Dunblane too..
afoot
loch lomond it is as mrs bt was at loch katrine last week..
hail hail and KTF
B2K
If you go back to page one of this article and highlight the header to copy and paste,you’ll see a number,15968.
Change the number and you will get a page from bygone days.
But it’s hit-and-miss as it only hits the first page of an article.
I did it last month when I was bored and found FFM posting during the day!